1.

0 Planning Theory
Planning Theory is the body of scientific concepts, definitions, behavioral relationships, and assumptions
that define the body of knowledge of urban planning.
Planning consists essentially of the following processes:

Management

Organizing

Directing

Coordinating and controlling

1.1 Classification of Planning

Depending the realm in which the planning decisions are taken, planning can be categorized into:

Economic and social planning

City and national planning

Regional planning

There are eight procedural theories of planning that remain the principal theories of planning procedure
today: the rational-comprehensive approach, the incremental approach, the transactive approach, the
communicative approach, the advocacy approach, the equity approach, the radical approach, and the
humanist or phenomenological approach.
The incremental approach
This incremental approach meant choosing from small number of policy approaches that can only have a
small number consequences and are firmly bounded by reality, constantly adjusting the objectives of the
planning process and using multiple analyses and evaluations.
The transactive approach
Transactive planning is one alternative to comprehensive rational planning. The transactive planning model
is based on communicative rationality. This type of rationality is based on human communication and
dialogue between planners and the people affected by planning (Kinyashi 2006 cited in Geolearning 2016).
Planning in this model is considered less as a scientific or technical process than in the comprehensive
rational planning model.
Planning for Equity

Equity planning is a framework in which urban planners working within government use their research,
analytical, and organizing skills to influence opinion and mobilize underrepresented constituencies.
Rational-comprehensive planning theory
The rational-comprehensive theory was developed by Auguste Comte. He used methods of classical science
with the study of societies and social concepts. This allowed more accurate values to be taken and improve
the prediction of long term development of towns and cities, and hence make long-term master plans with
great accuracy to direct this development. The planning analysis was on quantifiable factors, such as
changes in population and age group rates, the amount of traffic in roads, the sizes and distances of public
services in relation to their user base, technical capacities of infrastructure systems among others.
Advocacy planning theory
This theory arises from Paul Davidoff who made a criticism about the public interest of urban planning
producing unsatisfying results in terms of anonymity, aesthetic and social dullness, problems of segregation
and lack of necessary services were felt in the newly built suburbs, whereas in the city centres meaningful
historical buildings and places were demolished to allow for new development that ignored the existing
cityscape and ways of urban life. Davidoff claimed that planners should justify the values behind the
decision taken. The planner, thus, aids democracy in public planning. The planners would thus seek
employment in opposition political groups to prepare and challenge the official plan.

2.0 Urban renewal and community development

Urban renewal can be defined as a social and technical partnership based on the synergy of the vision of
politicians and designers and on the wide acceptance of the same by the community. Thus urban renewal
can be described as a natural mechanism through which the urban environment, cities and towns, undergoes
transformation.
2.1 Main approaches to urban renewal
Urban renewal is based upon three principles namely:

Redevelopment which consist of demolition of old structures and reconstruction of new ones.

Rehabilitation which consist of improvement of existing structures

Conservation which consists of preserving historical infrastructures

Redevelopment
Redevelopment consist of pulling down existing buildings and reuse the cleared land for new development.
(Miller, 1959 cited in Broudehoux, 1994). The technique is mostly applied for buildings which have
exceeded their service life and are in a deteriorated condition such that they have no preserving value or
where building do not satisfy the present needs of society. Through redevelopment a maximum profit is
yield with the sale of centrally located new buildings. For local governments, this approach represents
maximum use of land, higher floor area ratio, and has the advantage of introducing higher income groups
and commercial activities to the city center, which increase tax revenues.
Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation is based on preserving and maintaining the natural and man-made environments of existing
neighborhoods. It provides the advantage of using the existing buildings resources and adapts old structures
to the present -day life and acceptable standards by providing modern facilities. Rehabilitation is exercised
in areas where there is a limited availability of funds for new construction such that the option of destroying
already-existing housing appear both costly and unsafe (Zhu Zixuan, 1989 cited in Broudehoux, 1994).
2.2 Effects of Urban Renewal
Urban renewal can affect the existing urban environment in many ways. The preservation of the city's
identity, community, local culture and natural and built environments, must be considered in the process of
urban renewal.

Urban Identity
Urban renewal changes the physical form of the urban environment and transforms the way in which it is
perceived and experienced. Among the most important features cited in the literature with respect to the
definition of the urban environment are: diversity, and continuity (Jacobs, 1961 cited in Broudehoux, 1994).
Impacts on the Environment
The preservation of natural and man-made environments is another important issue which should not be
overlooked in the process of renewal. Old buildings, monuments, parks, and neighborhoods, as well as the
old pattern of the city which gives the city its unique character are necessary to maintain the city's vitality
(Holcomb and Beauregard, 1981 cited in Broudehoux, 1994).
2.3 Sustainable Urban Renewal
There is an increasing amount of research trying to define and conceptualize urban renewal sustainability
in different contexts. For any type of conceptualization of sustainability applied, it has been found that
sustainable development relies on social, economic and environmental characteristics (Helen Wei Zheng et
al., 2014). Therefore provided that an adequate sustainable path is followed, urban renewal can significantly
contribute to sustainable urban development. Sustainable urban renewal approach encompassing the global
concept of sustainability into local urban renewal process is gradually recognized in the world and many
states or cities has started to incorporate this idea into their planning strategies.
The adoption of sustainable urban regeneration approach through urban design can contribute to
enhancement of economic, environmental and social values. Urban design is very effective in creating
sustainable communities and achieving sustainability in urban renewal (Grace Lee, 2006)

3.0 Participatory Planning

The participatory planning paradigm is concerned with the decentralization of planning. It can be defined
as an interactive set of processes through which various groups and interests engage together in reaching
for a consensus on a plan and its implementation. Participatory Planning is a concept arising in the particular
events. It is used when mediation in conflict situation and legitimacy and civic identity in plan preparation
are fundamental to plan implementation.
3.1 Importance of Participatory Planning
Participatory planning is that approach to planning that is about residents and the development of their
communities. Beneficiary communities participate in a particular way on the implicit assumption that their
participation is a way to bring about particular and relevant changes on their behalf. This allows the planner
to analyze and evaluate the needs of the resident during their settlement.
Moreover, participatory planning is a way to express and allow the commitment of peoples right to be
involved in matters where decisions made have an impact on them.
3.2 Application of Participatory Planning
Based on the experiences gained from the implementation of site and other self-help projects, indulging the
community in projects improves the project results (Mosha Clement A., 1994)
Type of Transition

Areas of Participatory relevence

Change from Agricultural to urban land

Submissions in the urban fringes and peri-urban

areas

During the provision of urban services and other During upgrading squatter settlement and in cities
infrastructures especially transportation network

and services programmes.

The construction of transportation network to
enhance in depth development and reduction of
ribbon development

During urban renewal/redevelopment and other In the old zones of cities applicable to both
rehabilitation programmes

residential and commercial land uses.

Changing the densities of under-utilized zones.

References
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Implemented in the Inner City Since 1990. [Online] Minimum Cost Housing Group. Available at:
https://www.mcgill.ca/mchg/student/neighborhood/contents (Accessed on 21 September 2016)
CLEMENT MOSHA A., 1994. A Reappraisal of the Urban Planning Process. University of Botswana
GeoLearning. 2016. Transactive planning. [Online] Natural Resouce Management and Planning
Available at:
http://www.geo.fuberlin.de/en/v/geolearning/watershed_management/introduction_wm/natural_resource_
management_planning/index.html (Accessed on: 20 September 2016)
JORDAN YIN, 2012. Urban Planning For Dummies. Canada: John Wiley & Sons
METZGER J.T, 1996. The Theory and Practice of Equity Planning: An Annotated Bibliography.

[Online]. Abstract from Journal of Planning Literature. Available at:

http://jpl.sagepub.com/content/11/1/112.abstract (Accessed on 25 September 2016)
RAINE MNTYSALO, 2005. Approaches to Participation in Urban Planning Theories. Finland:
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Helen Wei Zheng et al., 2014. A review of recent studies on sustainable urban renewal. [Online] Habitat
International, Volume 41, pp 272-279.
GRACE LEE & EDWIN CHAN, 2006. Effective approach to achieve sustainable urban renewal in densely
populated cities. 1st International CIB Endorsed METU Postgraduate Conference Built Environment &
Information Technologies, Ankara.